Summary
Mission: Impossiblewill need to replace Tom Cruise at some point, and I’m completely convinced that Glen Powell is the perfect choice now. For as long asMission: Impossiblehas been a movie franchise, Tom Crusie has been at the center as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. But there is a possibility that his time is running out and will come to a close withCruise exiting afterMission: Impossible 8. That is not confirmed by any stretch, but the mere idea of it, which has been speculated about since early 2022, keeps up conversations about who could replace him.
Anyone who dares to replace Tom Cruise as the lead of theMission: Impossiblemovieshas to fit a very particular mold, barring a significant franchise reset. That is why there was previously so much interest in Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust taking over. Now that she’s out of the picture,options for Tom Cruise’s replacementhave shifted to Hayley Atwell or bringing back Jeremy Renner. While I’d be excited by either outcome, I fully believe that Glen Powell checks all the boxes of whatMission: Impossibleneeds after Tom Cruise.
I’m Scared For Tom Cruise If Mission: Impossible 8 Doesn’t End The Franchise
Tom Cruise was once rumored to be done with Mission: Impossible after the eighth film, and it would be best for him and the franchise to end now.
Glen Powell Is Exactly Who Mission: Impossible Needs To Replace Tom Cruise
He’s Got Star Qualities The Franchise Needs
Tom Cruise will leave big shoes to fill for whoever replaces him as the next lead inMission: Impossible, but there is no doubt in my mind that Glen Powell is the right man for the job. Over the course of the last several years, he’s become one of Hollywood’s rising stars. Anyone who watchedEverybody Wants Some!!could see his star potential, but it took pairing up with Cruise forTop Gun: Maverickto really put the whole world on notice:Glen Powell has the makings of a modern-day movie star.
Powell has everything Paramount should be looking for when it comes to replacingCruise forMission: Impossible’s future. He’s an incredibly charismatic screen presence who can do everything from action to comedy to romance. At 35 years old, Powell is also at the right age, so he could step in and potentially headline a newMission: Impossibletrilogy. It also helps that he’s built up his box office credibility throughAnyone But You, andTwisters' box office projects to give him another hit.
Glen Powell’s 10 Best Movie Performances, Ranked
Glen Powell’s career has featured some impressively diverse performances, although some films have been more successful than others.
His action movie experience is admittedly a bit more limited, but he has done them, and it’s crucial to remember Cruise was far from the major action star he is now when he first signed up to be Ethan Hunt. If Paramount is looking for a rising star with plenty of charisma and box office credibility to leadMission: Impossibleinto a new era after Cruise, Powell is the guy. It doesn’t hurt thatPowell’s relationship with Cruise could help make the passing of the mantle seamless. An endorsement from Cruise for the next franchise lead would surely go a long way for me and other fans.
Anyone But You (2023)
$124.6 Million
Top Gun: Maverick Began A Great Partnership
The idea of Glen Powell taking overMission: Impossibleis even more believable when considering his last six years. Since getting cast inTop Gun: Maverickas Hangman,Powell has formed a strong relationship with Cruise. He has repeatedly shared how much advice Cruise has given him about navigating Hollywood and his career. It is much of this advice that Powell has implemented into projects likeAnyone But YouorTwisters. Cruise’s mentorship to make Powell a star even included tips for how to hold a popcorn bucket to promoteTwistersfor a picture.
One of the most striking parts of Glen Powell’s rise to me is how much he’s adopted from Tom Cruise’s playbook on Hollywood. Whether it is prioritizing a theatrical release forAnyone But Youor the desire to create big, entertaining blockbusters likeTwisters,Powell is closely following Cruise’s movie ideology. That is why Powell has consistently said he’s disinterested in superhero movies, favoring working on other projects with acclaimed directors, relaunching known IP, and creating new, original franchises. All this makes Powell an ideal fit forMission: Impossible, as he’d share the same ideas about the series as Cruise.
Top Gun Could Get In The Way Of Glen Powell Taking Over Mission: Impossible
Powell Already Has An Existing Connection
For as much as I’d like to see Glen Powell take overMission: Impossible, there is a good chance thatTop Guncould prevent this from happening. Powell is already part of that franchise and set to return inTop Gun 3. There are even some suggestions that he could beCruise’s replacement inTop Guninstead ofMission: Impossibleas a result. With his involvement in one Cruise franchise already set, it is possible that Powell would avoid jumping aboard another, especially if it meant directly replacing his mentor.
IfTop GunreplacesMission: Impossibleas Cruise’s main franchise with the release ofTop Gun 3, then perhaps the chances of Powell taking over the action spy series become greater. WithMission: Impossible 8still a ways off,there is plenty of time for Paramount to figure out the franchise’s future. But if it does seriously consider finding someone else to lead futureMission: Impossiblemovies and replace Tom Cruise, I can think of no better option than Glen Powell right now.
